Car driver was sleepy: expressway accident survivors

The three survivors of the accident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway have claimed that their car driver was sleepy, and hence may have crashed into the heavy vehicle near Kalamboli on Monday morning, said the police.

While seven people from the car were killed on the spot, three have suffered injuries and have been admitted to the MGM hospital in Kamothe.

KT Vidhate, senior inspector, Kalamboli police station, said, “The survivors have told us that as Mangi Lodle was feeling sleepy, they had asked him to drive carefully. They had

even stopped twice to get tea for him.”

Lodle has been arrested for rash and negligent driving and will be presented in the court on Tuesday.

Such was the impact of the collision that the wheels of the car, too, came off.

The families of the deceased are in a state of shock.

Mobin Shaikh, who lost his son Muznabin, son-in-law Zuber and cousin Chand, said, “They had left for Karad on Thursday to attend a wedding on Saturday. My 25-year-old daughter has been widowed. She has two sons, a seven-month-old and a three-year-old. Their future appears bleak.”

Melaram Kumavat, whose son Suresh has been injured, said, “My son called me from his mobile phone and informed me about the accident. He has suffered chest injuries. Though he is out of danger, he is in pain. We plan to shift him to a hospital in Thane.”